

If you have ever painted, then you have probably noticed how certain colors can be mixed to create other colors. Some colors, such as yellow and purple, cancel each other out when mixed and result in a white light. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange color. Newton also found that each color is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors.įurther experiments demonstrated that light could be combined to form other colors.

In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors.

Why is color such a powerful force in our lives? What effects can it have on our bodies and minds? Continue reading to further explore the history of color including how it’s used, the effects it may have, and some of the most recent research on color psychology. Of course, your feelings about color are often deeply personal and rooted in your own experience or culture.įor example, while the color white is used in many Western countries to represent purity and innocence, it is seen as a symbol of mourning in many Eastern countries. Much of the evidence in this emerging area is anecdotal at best, but researchers and experts have made a few important discoveries and observations about the psychology of color and the effect it has on moods, feelings, and behaviors. “Surprisingly, little theoretical or empirical work has been conducted to date on the influence of color on psychological functioning, and the work that has been done has been driven mostly by practical concerns, not scientific rigor.”ĭespite the general lack of research in this area, the concept of color psychology has become a hot topic in marketing, art, design, and other areas. “Given the prevalence of color, one would expect color psychology to be a well-developed area,” note researchers Andrew Elliot and Markus Maier. It is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and cause physiological reactions.Ĭertain colors have been associated with increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain. – Pablo Picassoĭo you feel anxious in a yellow room? Does the color blue make you feel calm and relaxed? Artists and interior designers have long understood how color can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions. Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.
